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LeBron James’ basketball future will loom again during the NBA offseason.
James’ free agency status this summer opens the door for him to change teams for the first time since 2018. But questions remain about whether he will decide to play elsewhere or close the chapter on his historic career.
As questions arise about James’ future, ESPN reported that representatives for James and the Lakers are in talks about the structure of a new contract.
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Lakers forward LeBron James is on the court in the final minutes of Game 4 of the NBA second-round playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Los Angeles on May 11, 2026. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
If James returns for a record-breaking 24 season, he appears focused on getting a deal done with the team he’s spent the last eight seasons with: the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I think LeBron James’ intention is to play, and I think the focus right now is to get a deal done with the Lakers,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst told ESPN Cleveland radio on Tuesday. “Right now, he’s allowed to negotiate with the Lakers, and I think they’re negotiating. I think they’re going back and forth.”
“In the next 14 days, I think he will try to reach an agreement with the Lakers,” he continued.
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James is already the longest-tenured player in the league.
LeBron and Savannah James started dating in high school. The couple shares three children, including Bronny James, who spent the last two NBA seasons playing alongside his father.
LeBron James poses for a photo with his family at the end of the game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on February 7, 2023. (Harry How/Getty Images)
James appeared on the “Everybody’s Crazy” podcast in October 2025 along with popular social media personality, YouTuber, and online streamer Kai Cenat and two other guests. Savannah is a co-host of the show.
During the episode, James reflected on his childhood, work ethic, and business philosophy.
Last month, the Lakers were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
Lakers forward LeBron James brings the ball up court during the second half against the Washington Wizards in Los Angeles, California, on March 30, 2026. (Ryan Sun/AP Photo)
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James largely led Los Angeles to a first-round series victory over the Houston Rockets without teammates Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic. While Reaves returned for the conference semifinals, Doncic was unable to recover in time to rejoin the starting lineup at any point in the postseason after suffering a hamstring injury late in the regular season.
